The Mists of Avalon

Gwenhwyfar agrees to meet Meleagrant about the dispute over the Summer Country. Morgaine tells Gwenhwyfar not to trust him, but she says that if he is truly her sister he will treat her with respect. When she arrives, she notices that Meleagrant has kept Leodegranz’s hall in poor condition. Unwilling to dine with him, she demands that her escort, Ectorius, take her to her chambers. When they arrive at their destination, Meleagrant suddenly pushes Ectorius down the stairs and locks Gwenhwyfar in a small, dirty room.

Hours pass before Meleagrant returns. Gwenhwyfar tries to escape, and Meleagrant tells her that he intends to take over the kingdom by forcibly marrying her. Gwenhwyfar initially tries to fight back, but when Meleagrant beats and rapes her, she concludes this is punishment for her feelings toward Lancelet: “Oh, but it is no more than I deserve…I who am not a faithful wife, but love another” (515).

Later, Meleagrant storms in, telling Gwenhwyfar to hide. He then collapses, dead from a wound to the head: Morgaine has sent Lancelet to save Gwenhwyfar. Overwhelmed with emotion, she asks Lancelet if he will help her change out of her ruined gown. To her surprise, he begins crying too, kissing her and telling her he is sorry for what she endured.