The Mists of Avalon Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Lady of the Lake and the Merlin of Britain were arriving

Morgaine was startled by the sight of her mother in a trance, and Morgause, who was still single at this point in the story, was hoping that the vision included a husband or lover for herself. However, more information was coming. The two visitors told Ygraine that she was going to marry a man who wore the sign of the dragon and bear a High King of Britain.

When Morgause asked to take her place, since Ygraine was married, Viviane (the Lady of the Lake) snapped at Morgause to be content because there would be a king and sons in the future for her.

Answer: Her stepfather, Uther

This was a very touching scene. Uther and Morgaine sat together outside Ygraine's chamber and watched the midwives' helpers go in and out, looking at one another in hope and anxiety. When the child was born, they went into the room together and Morgaine was filled with joy when she was allowed to hold her new brother.

Answer: To educate them in the ancient religion

Arthur went off to be educated by the Merlin, and Morgaine went to the isle of Avalon where Viviane ruled as Lady of the Lake. Although Morgaine left in tears and was especially devastated about being separated from Arthur, she was overcome by the beauty of the island and eager to learn everything about the ancient craft.

Answer: Lancelot

Accolon and Uriens came into Morgaine's life later in the story. Lancelot was the son of Viviane, and he came to seek his mother's blessing to enter the world of knighthood and chivalry. There was a mutual attraction between Lancelot and Morgaine, but when Lancelot met Gwynhwyfar, he forgot all the other women in the world.

Answer: Tricked Morgaine into having a child by Arthur

Viviane, wanting the line of Avalon to be preserved in a pure, strong form, told Morgaine to enter the Great Marriage, or mating ritual, of Avalon. Morgaine became pregnant, as Viviane hoped, but accidentally found out that the man in question was Morgaine's own brother! Morgaine was indeed later tricked into marrying the father of the man she thought she was marrying, but it was Gwynhwyfar who did this.

It was Morgaine who lifted the mists for Gwynhwyfar to enter Avalon for a moment; she did this because Lancelot dared her to do so.

Answer: The Lady of the Lake told him in a vision

When Mordred was out riding with his men, Viviane appeared to him to tell him that Arthur was his father. She was hoping that Mordred would go to Camelot and represent Avalon. She had not reckoned on the fact that Mordred was something of a madman, or that Morgause planned on poisoning his mind. Arthur did not know that his partner in the Great Marriage had been Morgaine, or of Mordred's existence. Outside Avalon, only Morgaine, Morgause and Lot knew the truth. We are not told when or how Lot died, but it is obvious that Mordred was the most important man in the life of Morgause.

Answer: Her mother, Ygraine

Ygraine, upon Uther's death, had taken vows as a cloistered nun at Glastonbury, where she became the Abbess. While out walking with some of the other nuns, Ygraine saw Morgaine weeping in a boat in the river. The two women embraced and wept, with Morgaine telling her mother of all the sadness she had known. Ygraine showed herself to be a woman of great wisdom and compassion.

Answer: Arthur was in grave danger through Mordred

Mordred had launched a campaign to discredit Arthur by bringing Gwynhwyfar's affair with Lancelot to light. Lancelot had spirited Gwynhwyfar out of Camelot and, at her request, taken her to Glastonbury where she would remain forever. Ygraine welcomed Gwynhwyfar into the convent, and there Gwynhwyfar and Morgaine put aside their differences. Morgaine rushed back to Camelot when she was told that her beloved brother was in danger.

Answer: Viviane, the Lady of the Lake

Mordred, under the influence of Morgause (as well as being insane) was now in power and had turned Camelot into a grim, harrowing place. In a confrontation, Viviane accidentally killed Morgause, who was the most pivotal person in the sad life of Mordred.

In a frenzy of grief and rage, Mordred murdered Viviane, causing a wave of violent reaction in the earth, sky and sea. Ygraine in her convent and Raven in Avalon felt the shock waves and were stricken with grief. Mordred's knights, ignoring Mordred, fell to their knees in reverence.

Answer: Glastonbury Abbey

Years after taking a dying Arthur (who received his death wound in battle against Mordred) to rest on Avalon, Morgaine returned to Glastonbury Abbey and walked into a chapel where a group of women and girls were praying together. She gained a deep sense of personal peace, in spite of all the loss and tragedy that had pervaded her life; she also sensed a commonality and a kinship between the followers of the ancient religion and the Christians.