Morgaine
Morgaine is Igraine's daughter from her first marriage with Duke Gorlois. When Igraine marries Uther, Morgaine has to care for Arthur, her half-brother, whose father is Uther. As a result, she feels resentment toward her mother and Uther. She does not love her real father, but neither does she like Uther. She feels that Uther takes her mother away from her, which, in essence, he does. Although Morgaine loves her brother, she is somewhat jealous of the attention he receives as a small child. Viviane comes some years later and takes Morgaine to Avalon to be schooled as a priestess. Morgaine is supposed to be Viviane's successor as the Lady of Avalon.
When Morgaine surrenders her virginity to the Goddess Ceridwen, she is horrified to discover that she has slept with Arthur. She is even more horrified to discover that she is pregnant. Angered at Viviane, who has played her for a fool, Morgaine flees Avalon and spends years away, until she discovers that she must do the will of the Goddess and return. In later years, she sees herself becoming more like Viviane in her determination to do what she must to defend Avalon, regardless of the cost. At the end, she does what she feels is the Goddess' will but ends up all alone because everyone who is important to her has died. However, at the end, she sees that things have happened as they were supposed to and lives in peace
When Morgaine surrenders her virginity to the Goddess Ceridwen, she is horrified to discover that she has slept with Arthur. She is even more horrified to discover that she is pregnant. Angered at Viviane, who has played her for a fool, Morgaine flees Avalon and spends years away, until she discovers that she must do the will of the Goddess and return. In later years, she sees herself becoming more like Viviane in her determination to do what she must to defend Avalon, regardless of the cost. At the end, she does what she feels is the Goddess' will but ends up all alone because everyone who is important to her has died. However, at the end, she sees that things have happened as they were supposed to and lives in peace
Arthur
Arthur, originally named Gwydion, is Igraine and Uther's son. Taking after Uther's fair complexion and good looks, Arthur is often sick or hurt as a child. When Viviane finds this out, she believes someone is sabotaging Arthur's ascension to the throne as High King. Arthur is therefore sent to live as King Ectorius' foster son until he is old enough and strong enough to go through trials and kingmaking rituals necessary in order for him to be king. From a young age, he is conscientious of what it takes to be a good soldier. It is not until he receives Excalibur that he truly begins to lead a charmed life. Arthur is not a remarkable fighter; it is only because he carries Excalibur that he never receives, an injury bad enough to kill him.
As part of his kingmaking, Arthur receives Excalibur, the magical scabbard and the Holy Regalia of Avalon, as he swears to defend Avalon. It is later, when he breaks his oath to Avalon that Viviane, and then Morgaine, work to take these holy items back. At his wife's urging, Arthur rejects the ways of Avalon and becomes a Christian. Arthur gives in to Gwenhwyfar's every whim, which goes against the current convention where men tell their women what to do. Arthur is easily ruled. It is this trait that Morgaine fails to take advantage of when it comes to honoring his oath to Avalon. During a ritual at his kingmaking, Arthur and Morgaine sleep together, not knowing who the other is. Morgaine has a son from this union, who it is prophesied to challenge Arthur for the throne.
As part of his kingmaking, Arthur receives Excalibur, the magical scabbard and the Holy Regalia of Avalon, as he swears to defend Avalon. It is later, when he breaks his oath to Avalon that Viviane, and then Morgaine, work to take these holy items back. At his wife's urging, Arthur rejects the ways of Avalon and becomes a Christian. Arthur gives in to Gwenhwyfar's every whim, which goes against the current convention where men tell their women what to do. Arthur is easily ruled. It is this trait that Morgaine fails to take advantage of when it comes to honoring his oath to Avalon. During a ritual at his kingmaking, Arthur and Morgaine sleep together, not knowing who the other is. Morgaine has a son from this union, who it is prophesied to challenge Arthur for the throne.
Gwenhwyfar
Gwenhwyfar is King Loedengranz's daughter. As a young woman, she is easily scared. Because of her younger years of being confined in a convent, she prefers to be indoors. Even as she makes the trek to Caerleon for her wedding to Arthur, she panics when she leaves her home because of the great expanse of sky above her. From the time she is very young, Gwenhwyfar is insecure. There seems to be nothing she is certain of throughout her life. She questions both Arthur's love for her and Lancelet's, when they both would move the sun and the stars for her.
When Gwenhwyfar meets Lancelet for the first time, it is love at first sight. This love stays with them for the remainder of their lives, but it causes many problems along the way. She is also plagued with the pressures of bearing a child as Arthur's heir. This causes a great deal of grief for both her and Arthur. Since she remains childless after a few attempts at getting pregnant, Gwenhwyfar feels that there must be a great sin she is guilty of, which is why God punishes her. As a result, she becomes pious beyond normal reasoning and eventually convinces Arthur to give up the ways of Avalon. It is because of her that Arthur breaks his oath and he, and so many others die. Gwenhwyfar is selfish and not particularly bright. In instances involving Kevin Harper, she is even downright hostile.
When Gwenhwyfar meets Lancelet for the first time, it is love at first sight. This love stays with them for the remainder of their lives, but it causes many problems along the way. She is also plagued with the pressures of bearing a child as Arthur's heir. This causes a great deal of grief for both her and Arthur. Since she remains childless after a few attempts at getting pregnant, Gwenhwyfar feels that there must be a great sin she is guilty of, which is why God punishes her. As a result, she becomes pious beyond normal reasoning and eventually convinces Arthur to give up the ways of Avalon. It is because of her that Arthur breaks his oath and he, and so many others die. Gwenhwyfar is selfish and not particularly bright. In instances involving Kevin Harper, she is even downright hostile.
Lancelet
Lancelet, originally named Galahad, is Viviane's son. A prophecy tells Viviane that her son will serve the High King. He is born in Avalon and fostered by King Ban of Less Britain, who is his father. Lancelet has no inclination to become a priest or a Druid. He feels that men should be responsible for their own destiny and not the playthings of women. This notion fits in with the common feeling of the day. However, he falls hopelessly in love with Gwenhwyfar from the moment he sees her in the water between Glastonbury and Avalon. For decades they love each other until Camelot is no more.
Lancelet also shares a strong bond with Arthur; the two of them are as brothers, ready to die for one another if necessary. It is this love that tortures Lancelet and renders him incapable of betraying him by having an affair with Gwenhwyfar. On the few occasions that Gwenhwyfar and Lancelet do sleep together, he is torn apart by guilt, even though they do so with Arthur's blessing. With the use of a love potion that Morgaine uses, he is tricked into marrying Elaine and therefore moving away from Camelot. Lancelet is a man who believes strongly in honor and loyalty. This comes through very clearly in the telling of this story.
Lancelet also shares a strong bond with Arthur; the two of them are as brothers, ready to die for one another if necessary. It is this love that tortures Lancelet and renders him incapable of betraying him by having an affair with Gwenhwyfar. On the few occasions that Gwenhwyfar and Lancelet do sleep together, he is torn apart by guilt, even though they do so with Arthur's blessing. With the use of a love potion that Morgaine uses, he is tricked into marrying Elaine and therefore moving away from Camelot. Lancelet is a man who believes strongly in honor and loyalty. This comes through very clearly in the telling of this story.
Gwydion/Mordred
This is Morgaine and Arthur's son from the kingmaking on Dragon Island. After a difficult birth, Morgause tricks Morgaine into letting a wet nurse take care of him, so the connection between mother and child is never formed. As a result, Morgaine freely leaves Gwydion with Morgause to raise as her foster-son. He has Lancelet's looks and Morgaine's wit. However, there is something sinister beneath his cool exterior that tends to put some people off. He grows up in Lothian under Morgause's tutelage and grows shrewd to her ways. As he grows up, it is discovered that he is strong in the Sight. He keeps this information to himself until the day that Viviane, Niniane, and Kevin go to Lothian to meet Gwydion and take him back to Avalon for training. Unlike Morgause's other sons, Gwydion is like a cat--silent, sleek, fastidious, and watchful.
Gwydion realizes that his father is Arthur and this tends to overawe him. The prophecy says that he will unseat Arthur, and Gwydion is nervous about this because Arthur is beloved by all. Eventually, as he grows closer to Arthur, he discovers Gwenhwyfar's affair with Lancelet, which makes his blood boil. To prevent Arthur from becoming the laughingstock of the kingdom, Gwydion vows to expose Gwenhwyfar and Lancelet's affair, thus upsetting the Companions and causing a rift at court. Gwydion, now called Mordred, meaning "Evil Counsel," takes this opportunity to battle Arthur for the crown. During their battle, Gwydion/Mordred dies, and Arthur sustains a mortal wound, which he dies from shortly after. Gwydion/Mordred, in effect, puts a permanent end to Camelot.
Gwydion realizes that his father is Arthur and this tends to overawe him. The prophecy says that he will unseat Arthur, and Gwydion is nervous about this because Arthur is beloved by all. Eventually, as he grows closer to Arthur, he discovers Gwenhwyfar's affair with Lancelet, which makes his blood boil. To prevent Arthur from becoming the laughingstock of the kingdom, Gwydion vows to expose Gwenhwyfar and Lancelet's affair, thus upsetting the Companions and causing a rift at court. Gwydion, now called Mordred, meaning "Evil Counsel," takes this opportunity to battle Arthur for the crown. During their battle, Gwydion/Mordred dies, and Arthur sustains a mortal wound, which he dies from shortly after. Gwydion/Mordred, in effect, puts a permanent end to Camelot.
Viviane
Viviane is the older sister of Igraine and Morgause. She is a priestess and carries the prestigious title of the Lady of Avalon. Although she is born in Avalon, she was fostered on the Druid Isle, far to the north, in the Islands. Although she and Igraine have the same mother, Viviane's father is a priest who was "overshadowed by the power of the God;" therefore, she does not have a father. She is a charming and manipulative woman. When she makes her first entrance in the story, her manipulative side is evident as she tells Igraine that her entire future is about to change.
As Morgaine gets older, Viviane discovers that she possesses the Sight, so Viviane wants to take Morgaine to Avalon to learn the ways of the priestess. Viviane takes Morgaine to Avalon and lays the foundation for her future. It is through her manipulation that Morgaine ends up sleeping with Arthur and bearing a son from that union. Viviane does whatever is necessary to defend Avalon and will not let anything get in that way, even when it causes her own death.
As Morgaine gets older, Viviane discovers that she possesses the Sight, so Viviane wants to take Morgaine to Avalon to learn the ways of the priestess. Viviane takes Morgaine to Avalon and lays the foundation for her future. It is through her manipulation that Morgaine ends up sleeping with Arthur and bearing a son from that union. Viviane does whatever is necessary to defend Avalon and will not let anything get in that way, even when it causes her own death.
Kevin
Kevin is both wise and traitorous. He is a man trained in the ways of Avalon as a druid and becomes the Merlin after Taliesin passes the title to him. Kevin makes his entrance into the story as a young bard, badly scarred from an accident he endured as a child. Since there are few options for someone as crippled as he, he learns to play the harp and has a very unique one constructed for. It is designed for his fingers and body type, which are badly misshapen. Kevin refers to his harp as "My Lady." He says that as the gift of a king, she is the only woman, whether maiden or matron, whose caresses never weary him and of whose voice he never tires. When he is old enough, he goes to the Druid isle to study bardcraft and is then sent to Avalon. He is described by most as an ugly and grotesque man, except when he plays his harp. When he makes music, he is seen as graceful, and his music is unlike any other.
In later years, he is seen as a traitor when he supports Arthur's decision to bury Viviane on Glastonbury, a Christian site. Years after that, he allows the bishop to use the Holy Regalia in mass, which outrages the people in Avalon. This is seen as profanity and must be punished. He is tricked by an Avalon priestess and brought back to Avalon to pay for his crime by being put to death. Before he dies, he explains to Morgaine he has done only what the Goddess has wished, which she later finds out is true.
In later years, he is seen as a traitor when he supports Arthur's decision to bury Viviane on Glastonbury, a Christian site. Years after that, he allows the bishop to use the Holy Regalia in mass, which outrages the people in Avalon. This is seen as profanity and must be punished. He is tricked by an Avalon priestess and brought back to Avalon to pay for his crime by being put to death. Before he dies, he explains to Morgaine he has done only what the Goddess has wished, which she later finds out is true.
Morgause
Morgause is the younger sister of Igraine and Viviane. Her mother dies giving her birth. As a result, Viviane is the mother figure in her life, since Viviane is the one who raised Morgause. As a young teenager, Morgause is precocious and flirtatious. She is seen as a loose woman. Gorlois recognizes that she is dangerous around men and should be married off as soon as possible. He is afraid she will disgrace his family. In later years, after Morgause's husband, King Lot, dies, Morgause does, indeed, keep a string of lovers on hand and eventually takes a much younger man as a husband.
Morgause is cool and calculating, never swayed by emotion or impulse. She meets her match when she marries Lot. The two of them plot to keep Arthur from ascending to the throne of High King, although these plans do not work. As an older woman, Morgause turns to the dark side of magic. Although she is not as gifted in the Sight as her two sisters or Morgaine, she is able to tap into the Sight by practicing dark magic. By the end of the Camelot era, she discovers that her machinations were a waste of time, and she ends up old and alone.
Morgause is cool and calculating, never swayed by emotion or impulse. She meets her match when she marries Lot. The two of them plot to keep Arthur from ascending to the throne of High King, although these plans do not work. As an older woman, Morgause turns to the dark side of magic. Although she is not as gifted in the Sight as her two sisters or Morgaine, she is able to tap into the Sight by practicing dark magic. By the end of the Camelot era, she discovers that her machinations were a waste of time, and she ends up old and alone.
Igraine
Igraine is married at a young age to Duke Gorlois of Cornwall and has a daughter, Morgaine, by him. Although she is married with a child, she views herself as a child in many ways. She hints that she has always relied on Viviane for direction as a child would. It is not until she encounters Uther that she begins to feel like a woman. With Uther, she finds true, "adult" love. It takes her a long time before she learns to rely on herself for guidance. Long after she is married to Uther, she continues to mourn the children she has lost either through miscarriage or shortly after birth. Igraine sees this loss as her penance for both doing wrong to Gorlois and lying with Uther before Uther's and her wedding ceremony. Even as Uther lies dying, she refuses to allow the Merlin to use his healing spells on him because she has become Christian.
After Uther dies, she agrees to retire to a convent. Igraine does not want to live near Avalon to be closer to Morgaine because she feels it is unseemly for a Christian queen to do so. She only leaves the convent once, to accompany Gwenhwyfar to Caerleon for her wedding ceremony to Arthur. Igraine is the first to see the attraction between Gwenhwyfar and Lancelet. She tries to stop the wedding between Gwenhwyfar and Arthur from occurring, but it is too late to do so. Years later, Gwenhwyfar travels to see Igraine as she is dying from a heart condition. It is on her deathbed that she mourns Morgaine's absence from her life and wishes she had done things differently. She dies never knowing where Morgaine has gone.
After Uther dies, she agrees to retire to a convent. Igraine does not want to live near Avalon to be closer to Morgaine because she feels it is unseemly for a Christian queen to do so. She only leaves the convent once, to accompany Gwenhwyfar to Caerleon for her wedding ceremony to Arthur. Igraine is the first to see the attraction between Gwenhwyfar and Lancelet. She tries to stop the wedding between Gwenhwyfar and Arthur from occurring, but it is too late to do so. Years later, Gwenhwyfar travels to see Igraine as she is dying from a heart condition. It is on her deathbed that she mourns Morgaine's absence from her life and wishes she had done things differently. She dies never knowing where Morgaine has gone.
Uther Pendragon
Viviane's prediction from the Goddess is that Uther is the future father of the great king, who will save the old religion and heal old wounds. He is nephew to the popular Ambrosius Aurelianus, who is the High King of Britain at the beginning of the story. He was a Briton of Britons, with "no taint of Roman blood;" therefore, many tribesmen followed him. Everyone knows that when Aurelianus dies, Uther will be named High King.
Uther is a competent commander and popular with his men because he takes good care of them. He is also smart and persuasive. Years later, he listens to Viviane when she advises him to send Arthur to another kingdom for safety and Morgaine to live with Viviane to study to be a priestess. He does, however, suffer from the sin of pride. It is this flaw in his character that is his undoing. As he recovers from a battle wound, he leads his men out into another battle, even though he does not have to. He does so in order to be seen. However, he takes a mortal wound and falls down in the field. He dies before Arthur ever gets to know him.
Uther is a competent commander and popular with his men because he takes good care of them. He is also smart and persuasive. Years later, he listens to Viviane when she advises him to send Arthur to another kingdom for safety and Morgaine to live with Viviane to study to be a priestess. He does, however, suffer from the sin of pride. It is this flaw in his character that is his undoing. As he recovers from a battle wound, he leads his men out into another battle, even though he does not have to. He does so in order to be seen. However, he takes a mortal wound and falls down in the field. He dies before Arthur ever gets to know him.
Nimue
Nimue is Lancelet and Elaine's second child and first daughter. In exchange for a love spell, Elaine promises her first daughter to Morgaine to be schooled in Avalon. Morgaine comes to settle this debt when Nimue is only five years old. Shortly after Nimue arrives in Avalon, Raven and Niniane decree that she is to live in seclusion, as told them by the Goddess, so she grows up alone with no one setting eyes on her. As Morgaine's final plan unfolds, Nimue is called forth from seclusion to go to Camelot to seduce Kevin Harper. The plan is to trick Kevin into coming to Avalon one last time, where he will face punishment as a traitor of Avalon. When she goes to Camelot to meet with Kevin, everyone sees her as a beautiful young woman, perhaps more so than when Gwenhwyfar was her age. Nimue becomes so ensnared in the love spell that she works on Kevin that she is just as affected. After Kevin is taken to the grove to be executed, Nimue commits suicide by drowning herself in the lake.
Accolon
He is King Uriens' second son and an initiate of Dragon Island with the blue serpents tattooed on his arms as proof. He is agile and well built, moving with the natural ease of a man to whom exercises (such as the ones at Pentecost) come readily. He has been handling weapons since his boyhood. Accolon's charm is infectious and Morgaine falls for him instantly. Fully entrenched in the ways of the Goddess, Accolon bends to Morgaine's will and makes himself available to do whatever she needs to take Excalibur back from Arthur. Although he is a strong man and pure of heart, Arthur defeats him in a crucial sword fight and he receives a mortal wound.
Raven
Raven is a priestess at Avalon by the time Morgaine arrives. Since she has taken a vow of silence, very few ever hear her speak. The only times she speaks is during a trance, when the Goddess Ceridwen works through her. She is seen as the prophetess of Avalon. Her dedication to her vow of silence is complete. Even when she receives severe burns once, she never uttered a sound. She remains in Avalon until she decides to travel with Morgaine back to Camelot for a Pentecost feast where the Holy Regalia is scheduled to be used in a Christian service. After so many years in Avalon, Raven is terrified of the outside world. She speaks only sparingly and is afraid of everything. When people see Raven with Morgaine, they often believe that Raven is mute or dumb and pay her no attention. She is not as strong as Morgaine, and after she pushes her power to its limit in helping Morgaine appear as the Goddess, she dies from the shock and exhaustion.
Niniane
Niniane is Taliesin's and Branwen's daughter conceived during the Beltane fire. Niniane, though not very talented with the Sight, takes Viviane's place as Lady of the Lake, since Morgaine is nowhere to be found to take her rightful place. Before she takes this honored role, she is a young and insecure girl. She goes through the training that the priestesses do and passes all of the same trials. Although she does not have the Sight, she is approved by the Goddess Ceridwen and possesses wisdom that makes her an able leader for Avalon until Morgaine can take her rightful place. Before Gwydion goes to Avalon for training, she is the only one, besides Viviane, dwelling there who is of the old royal blood.
Duke Gorlois
Duke Gorlois is Igraine's first husband. At the beginning he appears as a compassionate man because he allows Igraine to raise their daughter and does not pressure her to bear a son right away. At first glimpse, Gorlois seems to be a patient and kind man, although he is more than twice Igraine's age. He is kind to her when her family seemingly abandons Igraine. However, there are moments where he speaks condescendingly to her; he does not treat her as an equal. He honors her as required through custom, law, and religion, but he does not truly see his wife as an equal. It becomes evident on their trip to Londinium that Gorlois is insecure as Igraine's husband. He is proud and jealous. He knows he is old for her and is quite afraid he will lose her. These traits come out more and more as Igraine's destiny becomes intertwined with Uther's.