The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Chapter
IX: Birdalone Cometh Before the Champions in Her New Array explained
Birdalone, dressed in her finest new raiment and bearing the keepsakes of the three champions, enters the hall and presents each with his gift.
What happens
Birdalone, dressed in her finest new raiment and bearing the keepsakes of the three champions, enters the hall and presents each with his gift. She declares her part in the quest complete and asks the champions to remember her with love. The Golden Knight, Sir Baudoin, swears on the cross to die for her if needed, and the other two champions and the castellan Sir Aymeris also swear oaths of loyalty and protection. Arthur the Black Squire weeps, and Birdalone feels a deep yearning toward him. After the oaths, Arthur advises Birdalone to stay within the castle walls during their absence and warns of the Red Knight. Birdalone is overcome with joy when Arthur speaks her name publicly for the first time. The evening concludes with a feast, though the champions are sober and Birdalone feels sorrow beneath her cheerful demeanor.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Autonomy
Birdalone takes an active role in completing her errand and presenting the keepsakes, asserting her contribution to the quest and requesting the champions' enduring love.
Love and Desire
Birdalone's yearning toward Arthur and her joy at hearing him speak her name reveal deep romantic feelings; the champions' oaths and tears express their devotion.
Journey and Quest
The chapter marks the culmination of Birdalone's preparations and the imminent departure of the champions, advancing the quest narrative.
Characters to notice
- Birdalone
Appears in her new array, bearing the champions' keepsakes; feels joy when Arthur speaks her name, but sorrow inwardly at the feast.
- Sir Baudoin
The Golden Knight; swears on the cross to die for Birdalone if needed and declares her entrance like the sun.
- Hugh the Green Knight
Swears the oath; is hushed, meek, and sad-faced after swearing; asks Birdalone about her life in the House under the Wood.
- Arthur the Black Squire
Weeps after swearing; advises Birdalone to stay within walls and warns of the Red Knight; speaks her name publicly for the first time, causing her joy.
- Sir Aymeris
The castellan; swears to guard Birdalone as the apple of his eye and kneels to kiss her hands.
Key passages
“Rather sunrise than sunset it seemed, as verily Birdalone she came into the hall with bright eager eyes, and flushed cheeks, and countenance smiling with love.”
Birdalone's radiant appearance made the evening feel like dawn, her eyes bright, cheeks flushed, and face smiling with love.
Describes Birdalone's entrance as bringing light and warmth to the hall.
“Champions, now is mine errand all done, save that tomorrow I must show you the manner of the Sending Boat. Now there is nought save the darkness of the coming night to hinder you from this last deal of your Quest; and it is I that have brought you to this, and have done this good unto you, if no more good I do in the world. Wherefore I pray you to love me ever, and bear me ever in your minds.”
Birdalone tells the champions that her task is complete except for demonstrating the Sending Boat, and that only nightfall delays the final part of their quest; she asks them to remember her with love.
Birdalone asserts her role in advancing the quest and requests lasting affection.
“Maiden, thou sayest well, and never shall we forget thee, or cease to love thee; and here I swear by God upon the Tree, that it shall be a light thing for me to die for thee, if in any need I find thee.”
Sir Baudoin swears on the cross that he will never forget or stop loving Birdalone, and that dying for her would be easy if she ever needed him.
The Golden Knight makes a solemn oath of devotion and sacrifice.
“Birdalone heeded not what the castellan answered, such a shaft of joy went to her heart when she heard that friend speak her own name in such wise as he had never done erst, and that before them all.”
Birdalone ignored the castellan's reply because she felt a sudden joy when Arthur spoke her name publicly for the first time.
Highlights Birdalone's emotional response to Arthur's intimate address.
