The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Chapter
VI: Of the Talk Betwixt Birdalone and Viridis explained
Birdalone wakes after a night's sleep and is visited by Viridis, who comforts her.
What happens
Birdalone wakes after a night's sleep and is visited by Viridis, who comforts her. They discuss the reactions of the fellowship to Baudoin's death and Birdalone's role in it. Viridis advises Birdalone to tell her full story to the entire group rather than privately to Arthur, to avoid further discord. Birdalone reluctantly agrees, feeling a secret joy despite the sorrow.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Autonomy
Birdalone and Viridis navigate their own emotions and decisions regarding the fellowship's dynamics and Birdalone's confession.
Love and Desire
Undercurrents of romantic jealousy and affection among Birdalone, Arthur, Atra, and Viridis.
Identity and Transformation
Birdalone's struggle with her past actions and her place within the fellowship after the tragedy.
Characters to notice
- Birdalone
Wakes and is comforted by Viridis; feels guilt over Baudoin's death but also secret joy.
- Viridis
Visits Birdalone, weeps with her, and advises her to tell her tale to the whole fellowship.
- Hugh the Green Knight
Mentioned as Viridis's loveling; speaks well of Birdalone.
- Aurea
Does not blame Birdalone for Baudoin's death; plans to comfort her.
- Atra
Says little but accepts fate; Viridis fears Birdalone's story may hurt her.
- Arthur the Black Squire
Says nothing of Birdalone; Viridis notes he is jealous and covetous.
Key passages
“Tell me, art thou weeping for thy friend who is lost, and who shall be thy friend no more; or thy friend whom thou hast found?”
Birdalone asks Viridis whether her tears are for Baudoin, who is dead, or for Birdalone herself, whom she has rediscovered.
Birdalone seeks reassurance of Viridis's loyalty.
“He sayeth nought of thee, but that he would hear all the tale of what befell thee in the Black Valley.”
Viridis reports that Arthur has said nothing about Birdalone except that he wants to hear her story of the Black Valley.
Arthur's silence and curiosity hint at his jealousy and concern.
“I pray thee, and I pray thee, sweet, do so much for me as to tell thy tale to the fellowship of us.”
Viridis pleads with Birdalone to share her story with the entire group rather than privately.
Viridis believes a public telling will reunite the fellowship.