# VII: Bethelda explained — The Moon Maid

> Chapter companion for The Moon Maid by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

## What happens

Julian 20th, the Red Hawk, encounters a young woman named Bethelda who is fleeing from attackers. She reveals she is not a Kalkar but an American whose people lived among the Kalkars. Julian takes her to the Nipons, where she is welcomed. Despite his initial reluctance, he agrees to let her guide him through the trails. During the night, a moment of intimacy occurs between them, but Bethelda reveals she is an Or-tis, making her a blood enemy of Julian's people. Julian struggles with his feelings and the implications of her identity.

## Themes in this chapter

### Honor, Loyalty, and Betrayal

Julian struggles with his duty to hate Bethelda as a blood enemy versus his growing feelings for her, highlighting themes of loyalty and betrayal.

### Love and Sacrifice

The budding romantic tension between Julian and Bethelda, despite their enmity, explores the theme of love transcending hatred.

### Survival and Resilience

Bethelda's survival as a lone American among the Kalkars and her resilience in seeking refuge with the Nipons.

## Character check-ins

### Julian 5th

Julian 20th, the Red Hawk, encounters Bethelda and struggles with his feelings for her despite her being a blood enemy.

### Bethelda

A young woman who claims to be an American, not a Kalkar. She reveals she is an Or-tis, making her a blood enemy of Julian's people.

### Saku

Chief of the Nipons, who welcomes Bethelda and advises Julian to take her with him.

### The Kalkars

Referenced as the enemy; Bethelda is mistaken for a Kalkar but denies it.

### Orthis

Bethelda reveals she is an Or-tis, linking her to the blood enemy of Julian's people.

## Key lines

> “You called him ‘Kalkar’ as you charged him,” she explained, “and one Kalkar does not call another Kalkar that. Neither am I a Kalkar.”

Bethelda explains that Julian's use of the term 'Kalkar' as an insult proves he is not one of them, and she also denies being a Kalkar.

_Bethelda clarifies her identity and distinguishes herself from the Kalkars._

> “I am an Or-tis,” she said and dropped her head again.

Bethelda reveals that she is a member of the Or-tis family, making her a blood enemy of Julian's people.

_This revelation creates a conflict between Julian's growing affection and his duty to hate her._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_maid_se/chapters/vii-bethelda
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_maid_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_maid_se/chapters